MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
The Board of County Commissioners for Cecil County met in regular session at the Cecilton Town Hall, 117 West Main Street, Cecilton, Maryland on Tuesday, January 21, 2003. The following members of the Board were present:
Nelson K. Bolender, President
Phyllis Kilby, Commissioner
Harry A. Hepbron, Commissioner
William C. Manlove, Commissioner
Mark H. Guns, Commissioner
Constituting a full Board.
The meeting was called to order by President Bolender at 7:00 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance:
- MINUTES-
The minutes of the Board of County Commissioners January 7, 2003 were unanimously approved.
The minutes of the Board of Health for January 7, 2003 were unanimously approved.
- INFORMATIONAL ITEMS –
President Bolender – commented on the Martin Luther King Birthday Celebration, he and the other Commissioners attended on Monday at Wright’s Church. He was very impressed with Minister Henry and his presentation titled, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”.
Commissioner Kilby – reported on the Board Meeting she attended in Annapolis on Friday, January 17. The Governor’s Policy Representative spoke with regard to a greater emphasis on rural sections of Maryland and the Governor’s intent that the rural areas needs will be heard. She is “cautiously optimistic” about the outcome of the administration.
Commissioner Hepbron – reported on the good job the Department of Public Works has been doing on the snow removal for the season thus far. He further commented on the Chamber of Commerce Meeting recently attended by the Commissioners, he was very impressed with the attendance. He stated that it is important for the Commissioners to work on projects, such as the installation of water/sewer in the Route 40 Corridor. He indicated that the Water/Sewer Infrastructure Implementation Council would be meeting this week, which is a step in the right direction.
Commissioner Guns – reported on the MACO Conference in Annapolis recently attended by all Commissioners and the County Administrator. He stated that the conference was a very informative and educational experience. He attended the Academy of Excellence and completed four elective classes and two core classes; working to obtain a certificate. He will continue the courses at the MACO Convention in the summer.
Commissioner Manlove – reported that he also attended the MACO Conference and was very much impressed not only with the classes, the interaction between the various county officials throughout the State. Since his return from Annapolis he has been meeting with various groups of citizens, and is working with them. He further stated that he and Mayor Bunnell had recently met with an individual regarding a multi-purpose building in the lower end of the County. Commissioner Manlove and the Mayor are hoping to move forward with this project.
- TREASURER’S REPORT –
Pam Howard, Treasurer for Cecil County, presented the Treasurers Report as of December 31, 2003, a copy of this report is incorporated as part of these minutes.
- FARR CREEK MITIGATION CLOSEOUT REPORT –
Frank Muller, Director of Emergency Services presented the Farr Creek Mitigation Closeout Report and stated that in 1999 as a result of Hurricane Floyd the County received a Presidential Declaration for the damages caused in different areas of the County. A year later the County realized that as a result of the Presidential Declaration they were eligible for a Hazard Mitigation Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The County applied for these funds for the Farr Creek Area, which has experienced more than thirty-years of flood damage to residential dwellings.
In a joint effort with the Maryland Department of the Environment there were thirty-two properties targeted. Of the thirty-two, eleven expressed an interest in the program.
In September 2001 upon approval of the program, the County made offers to the eleven property owners. With the aid of additional funding from the State of Maryland, through MDE, the County was able to purchase twelve properties; one property was donated; and most recently purchased one more through the Project Impact Initiative as well, with monies approved through the Board of Public Works through the State.
The County has acquired a total of fourteen properties, six and one half acres of the 16.1 acres in the Farr Creek area. There is one property that FEMA has authorized the purchase of, but the initial project will be closed out by January 24.
The project remained within the budget allocated and the total was one million sixty-six thousand, of which nine hundred forty-four thousand is reimbursable through FEMA or the MD Department of the Environment.
- PUBLIC COMMENT –
Sandra Reeder – spoke with regard to expenses thus far incurred by First State Vehicle Services this fiscal year. She also commented regarding the quality of service of First State Vehicle. Additionally, Ms. Reeder tried to speak regarding a personnel issue. President Bolender informed her that this was not an issue for public session. She further commented regarding misuse of County property.
Frank Vari – spoke on behalf of the West View Shores Civic Association. He requested a proclamation or other formal recognition for Mr. Dean Rice regarding the Turkey Point Lighthouse and his work on that project.
Roland Wills – commented regarding the Department of Public Works and Stormwater Management of Montgomery Oaks. This matter was referred to Matt Carter, Director of Public Works for further review.
Mr. Carter stated that upon examination of Montgomery Oaks in the last several weeks, everything is in place for stormwater management and erosion control.
Mr. Wills further advised that he would be conducting his own inspections of three subdivisions in the upcoming weeks. He further asked the Commissioners to check on an access road through the Thomasville Subdivision that was not approved. He stated that the road is now being used in violation of code.
Douglas Johnson – continued his conversation on affordable housing and possible solutions to this problem.
Debbie Cline - commented on the updates of the Cecil County Web Site posting, more specifically the Board Minutes and Agenda. She requested information on the policy of posting.
Administrator Wein assured Ms. Cline that the County is implementing a policy to have the agenda posted on the Web Site by the Friday, before the Board Meets.
Nancy Schwerzler – commented regarding the Planning Commission and the importance of having a representative from the southern end of the county appointed. Her concerns are to preserve farmland in the southern area. She also spoke on behalf of the Amish Community that has settled into the southern area of the county.
Louis DeAngelis – spoke with regard to his observations that may be helpful in the review of the Comprehensive Plan. He is concerned that development regulations are not being complied with.
Joyce Boulden – commented regarding a newly formed committee in the Town of Cecilton, to battle the drug problem in the area. Mrs. Boulden is concerned with the drainage ditches in Cecilton, they are overgrown and full of trash. Her group is willing to clean the ditches, but would like a promise from the Commissioners to help the citizens maintain the ditches in Cecilton.
- APPOINTMENTS – BOARDS & COMMISSIONS –
Motion was made, based on recommendation, by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and unanimously carried to appoint James Brady to the Susquehanna Workforce for a five-year term, to expire August 1, 2007.
- PERSONNEL –
Ms. Donna Nichols, Director of Human Resources, presented the personnel items. Upon recommendation by Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Guns, and unanimously carried to accept the following resignations/terminations:
Mark E. Kane, On-Call Paramedic, Emergency Services
Randy K. Massie, Sr., Equipment Operator I, Solid Waster Division
Tracey Edwards, Part-time House Manager, Domestic Violence Shelter
On recommendation of Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Manlove, and unanimously carried to accept the following appointments:
Linda Willis, Casework Associate, Department of Aging, $13.92 (grade 7)
Joyce Vaughn Ham, Laborer, Solid Waste Division, $9.21 (grade 3)
Lorraine Vass, Volunteer Coordinator, DSS (Help Center) $11.71 (grade 5)
Robert Emig, Code Compliance Inspector, Permits & Inspection, $13.92 (grade 7)
Tammy Vitale, Grant Funded Training Coordinator, DSS, $50,000. eligible for benefits with the exception of state pension.
Jocelyn Beland, Planning Aide, Planning & Zoning, $10.46 (grade 4)
On recommendation of Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Guns, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to accept the following promotion/transfers/reclassifications:
Mitchell Willis, Roads Division, from Laborer at 9.21 to Equipment Operator Trainee at & 9.49, effective 1/4/03
Robert Hopkins, Water & Wastewater Operator Trainee from $11.71 to $12.06, effective 1/11/03
Koty Wright, Roads Division, from Laborer $9.49 to Equipment Operator Trainee $9.77, effective 1/11/03.
- RURAL LEGACY AREA PRIORITIZATION –
Eric Sennstrom, Director, Planning Zoning, Parks & Recreation presented the Prioritization of the Rural Legacy Area Applications. Presently there are two applications, the Fair Hill Rural Legacy Area and the Sassafras Rural Legacy Area. Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby to make the Fair Hill Rural Legacy Area first in prioritization, Sassafras second. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Guns, and unanimously carried.
- INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MARYLAND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE COMPACT
Frank Muller, Director, Division of Emergency Services introduced a Resolution authorizing the Department of Emergency Services to participate in the Mutual Aid Agreement with the State of Maryland. The participation in this agreement will allow Cecil County Department of Emergency Management to request and/or provide help to any other County in a disaster situation without encumbering any costs. All costs are submitted directly to FEMA or the Disaster Declaration Authority.
Action will be taken on this matter February 4, 2003.
- EASEMENT AGREEMENT, PERRYVILLE CONNECTOR ROAD, CARL AND RUTH EWING –
County Administrator Wein presented an Easement Agreement between the Board of County Commissioners and Carl and Ruth Ewing for temporary construction easement. This easement is required in connection with the Perryville Connector Road.
Motion was granted by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Manlove, and unanimously carried to execute the Easement Agreement between the Board of County Commissioners and Carl and Ruth Ewing.
- RECOMMENDATION FOR AWARD OF BID # 02-11
Upon recommendation of Matt Carter, Director, Department of Public Works, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Guns and unanimously carried to accept the bid of T.C. Simons in the amount of $1,080,802.00 for the North East Industrial Sanitary Sub District Sewer Main Construction and Improvements.
- BUDGET AMENDMENTS –
Upon recommendation of County Administrator Wein, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Manlove, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendments Nos. 83 – 89.
The next meeting of the Board of County Commissioners will be on February 4, 2003 at the County Administrative Building in Elkton.
- ADJOURNMENT –
The meeting was adjourned.